Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Seaman Halon Hamilton, maintenance man aboard the boat with Harbor Operations, guides the driver up to a buoy during a training evolution aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 2, 2015. Walking the boat up to a buoy simulates pulling into a narrow berth or alongside a pier.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - Seaman Halon Hamilton, maintenance man aboard the boat with Harbor Operations, guides the driver up to a buoy during a training evolution aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 2, 2015. Walking the boat up to a buoy simulates pulling into a narrow berth or alongside a pier.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Workbooks for Mrs. Nizhoni Mendoza’s fifth grade class line a table waiting to be distributed among the students of Matthew C. Perry Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 31, 2015. M. C. Perry Elementary School is the National Blue Ribbon School for the Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific and the principle’s ultimate goal is to keep that status. - Workbooks for Mrs. Nizhoni Mendoza’s fifth grade class line a table waiting to be distributed among the students of Matthew C. Perry Elementary School aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 31, 2015. M. C. Perry Elementary School is the National Blue Ribbon School for the Department of Defense Education Activity Pacific and the principle’s ultimate goal is to keep that status.

A crowd peers into a firetruck at Child Safety Day Event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015. Children and parents crowded around several safety vehicles on display for the event. The kids had the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of firetrucks, a police cruiser and an ambulance, while blasting the sirens, honking the horns and talking over the loud speakers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released) - A crowd peers into a firetruck at Child Safety Day Event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015. Children and parents crowded around several safety vehicles on display for the event. The kids had the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of firetrucks, a police cruiser and an ambulance, while blasting the sirens, honking the horns and talking over the loud speakers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015, in support of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s presence at MCAS Iwakuni allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities. - Marine Attack Squadron 311, the “Tomcats,” arrived aboard Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 27, 2015, in support of the unit deployment program. The squadron’s presence at MCAS Iwakuni allows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Aircraft Group 12 to have amphibious fixed-winged capabilities.

Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation. - Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron(VMGR) 152 refuel MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircrafts with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, during air delivery ground refueling training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 20, 2015. The KC-130J aircraft is capable of carrying more than 12,000 gallons of fuel and simultaneously refueling two aircraft at 300 gallons a minute. This ability, along with many others, makes VMGR-152 and their aircraft an important asset to Marine Corps’ aviation.

Construction continues aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 1, 2015. One of the purposes of these roadway modifications is to eliminate the need for vehicles to cross an aircraft taxiway and to support continued operations during the Defense Policy Review Initiative’s construction efforts, which affects approximately 77 percent of the installation. Station residents can expect permanent road development changes in the upcoming month. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, DPRI redefines roles, missions, and capabilities of alliance forces and outlines key realignment and transformation initiatives, enhancing interoperability and communication between the two countries' respective commands. - Construction continues aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sep. 1, 2015. One of the purposes of these roadway modifications is to eliminate the need for vehicles to cross an aircraft taxiway and to support continued operations during the Defense Policy Review Initiative’s construction efforts, which affects approximately 77 percent of the installation. Station residents can expect permanent road development changes in the upcoming month. According to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, DPRI redefines roles, missions, and capabilities of alliance forces and outlines key realignment and transformation initiatives, enhancing interoperability and communication between the two countries' respective commands.

Katie and Elmo greet children at the Sesame Street performance delivered by the United Services Organization Experience for Military Families at the Sakura Theater aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 14, 2015. The program, “Katie is Moving to a New Base,” is designed to help children of military families transition during a permanent change of station. Military kids may relate to Katie’s situation and could learn how to deal with a difficult move away from family and friends. - Katie and Elmo greet children at the Sesame Street performance delivered by the United Services Organization Experience for Military Families at the Sakura Theater aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 14, 2015. The program, “Katie is Moving to a New Base,” is designed to help children of military families transition during a permanent change of station. Military kids may relate to Katie’s situation and could learn how to deal with a difficult move away from family and friends.

An EA-6B Prowler with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 3, the “Moon Dogs,” arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the unit deployment program, Aug. 7, 2015. VMAQ-3 conducts training locally and abroad to achieve qualifications for the Marines and aircraft while supporting the day to day operations of Marine Aircraft Group 12 aboard the air station. - An EA-6B Prowler with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 3, the “Moon Dogs,” arrives at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in support of the unit deployment program, Aug. 7, 2015. VMAQ-3 conducts training locally and abroad to achieve qualifications for the Marines and aircraft while supporting the day to day operations of Marine Aircraft Group 12 aboard the air station.

Pfc. Makayla Whitney, a postal clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron based aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, shows students at Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City, how to play duck, duck, goose during a community relations event hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel, Aug. 11, 2015. Service members commit to building positive relationships with the local community by participating in these events. - Pfc. Makayla Whitney, a postal clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron based aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, shows students at Josho Hoikuen School in Iwakuni City, how to play duck, duck, goose during a community relations event hosted by the Marine Memorial Chapel, Aug. 11, 2015. Service members commit to building positive relationships with the local community by participating in these events.

Lt. Col. James Moseley, a Command and Staff Blended Seminar Program instructor, briefs officers of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Marine Aircraft Group 12 on the program at the Sakura Theater aboard station Aug. 5, 2015. BSP is part of the 36th Commandant’s Planning Guidance 2015 to expand resident professional military education. - Lt. Col. James Moseley, a Command and Staff Blended Seminar Program instructor, briefs officers of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and Marine Aircraft Group 12 on the program at the Sakura Theater aboard station Aug. 5, 2015. BSP is part of the 36th Commandant’s Planning Guidance 2015 to expand resident professional military education.